After Class Ten

This semester is winding down quickly -- we only have one more group of narratives left.  This week we heard five interesting pieces.  First, about the complex decision-making process of finding your way to your true calling (or making your way back to your true calling after travelling to Australia); second, paying the price of being a good friend to someone too deeply affected by drugs to return to her former self.  Third, we had a glimpse into the politics of international pipe bands and how important it is to perseverere with your passion; fourth, how sometimes something like water skiing seems insurmountable when older cousins can do it so easily, yet with time and good mentoring we can succeed.  Last, we heard about philosophy in the daycare, and saw how even young children can grasp complex moral ideas and the importance of discussing these concepts in appropriate contexts.
In our lecture, we talked about the qualities good leaders have, in particular being able to connect with all kinds of people.  We also looked at the status of women and the continuing issues that prevent equality and full respect as human beings.  We filled out a questionnaire on marriage and long term relationships, which led into this week's story, "Man and Wife" by Katie Chase.  As we've mentioned before, some literature intends to shock or disturb in order to get us to think more deeply.
Just a reminder, the blogs are due next week.  Post your last entry on this prompt and then e-mail them to me, if possible. 
I'm looking forward to reading your papers!

After Class Nine

This week we had three interesting narratives.  First, we heard about  how different friends satisfy different needs, as divergent as they may be, and yet are still both dear to us.  Second, we were presented with a common conflict in the classroom when teachers collaborate, how to find the right approach to classroom management while being respectful of both the other teachers and the students.  Last, we were taken on a remarkable trip to Kenya, and heard about a visit to an orphanage that was overshadowed by the murder of one of the boys.  Our thanks to the authors for sharing these stories. 

Our lecture this week continued with Nussbaum's idea of reading literature as a means of developing "narrative imagination" which contributes to learning through "moral imagination".  It's harder to condemn someone from a particular group if you've experienced life through their eyes.

Our story this week was "Brokeback Mountain", a short story in Annie Proulx's collection (image).

Just a final reminder that the paper is due next week, March 24, and also keep in mind the blogs/logs are due the following week.  After class ten, you should post your final blog, and then e-mail me one document with all your dated entries in it.  There should be nine entries in total.  (I'm not counting the introductory blog after the first class.)     Enjoy the wonderful spring weather. 

After Class Eight

This week we had five strong narratives that all generated good discussion.  I've noticed some narratives are generating other narratives and we're deepening our understanding of certain themes.  One narrative today dealt with the tragic situation of a child with Gervais's disease, and how the family has chosen to react to this in the most positive way possible: caring more for each other and helping other people; another narrative looked at a decision-making process about what to do after high school and what going on to higher education meant; a third narrative examined negative practices in the workplace, what a mentor should be and how to apply what she's learned when a similar moral dilemma arose in the next job.  Another two narratives examined sexism; first, the inner conflict of feeling uncomfortable about earning more tips through certain behaviour in a job and how that changed over time, turning it around to her advantage, all the while knowing this job was a temporary step on her way to a better life.  The second dealt with how some people are uncomfortable with anything different, and use belittling remarks to maintain expectations and hide their jealousy or narrow-mindedness, in this case assigning gender roles to playing certain musical instruments.  Many thanks to everyone who read today.
Our lecture touched on some of Nussbaum/Aristotle's ideas about the importance of being a world citizen.  Although we all have our local identities and loyalties, our primary loyalties should be to our sense of humanity. 
Our story, "What You Pawn I Will Redeem" by Sherman Alexie (image) presented a very different world view, a story that raises a lot of questions about responsibility, worthy human beings, racism and homelessness, among others.  Just a reminder, please don't forget about some of the other assigned readings at the back of our textbook -- we'll be discussing them soon.
Also, a note about absences -- more than two unexplained absences will affect your participation grade.  Missing half a class or leaving after the break will count as an absence.
Lastly, keep working on your papers.  That due date, Mar. 24, is coming up quickly!  Have a great weekend.

After Class Seven

Hope everyone is glad to be back after an exciting Olympic break.  Today we heard four excellent narratives:  first, about standing up for yourself to a manager in a restaurant and turning things around to create a more positive relationship; second, about an experience in a hospital where a volunteer made authentiic connections with patients; third, about growing up and trying to find what's right for yourself and having the courage to keep looking; and last, understanding what a friend is going through as his mother is dying of cancer and grieving together.  Many thanks to everyone for sharing.                       

In our lecture we discussed the value of learning through literature and the importance of critical thinking.  Lastly, our short story, "Winky", in George Saunder's short story collection, Pastoralia,(image) presented an interesting picture of how the self-help industry collides with reality.             

Continue to work on your papers.  See you next week.